Kings I & II Summary

Kings I
The book of 1st Kings is Narrative History and Prophecy. The author is anonymous; however,
some suggest the prophet Jeremiah. It was written about 560-538 B.C. The key personalities are
David, Solomon, Rehoboam, Jeroboam, Elijah, Ahab, and Jezebel. The purpose of 1st Kings is to
contrast those who obey and disobey God throughout the ruling kings of Israel and Judah. The
book describes the rule of Solomon as the last king of Israel and then the split of the kingdom
after his death. It includes a great prayer to the Lord in chapter 8. The writer of the books of
Kings describes the events of the Northern and Southern Kingdoms after the division.
In chapters 1-11, Solomon becomes the king, in a violent method, after his father David dies.
David instructs Solomon to walk in His (Gods) ways (2:3). Solomon asks God for wisdom
and God is pleased at this request and approves. Solomon begins a building production, which
included the temple that his father David desired and prepared for him to do. He began building
the temple 480 years after the Exodus from Egypt. Seven years later, the Ark was brought to the
temple, the glory of the Lord descended on it, Solomon prays a powerful prayer, and then
sacrifices were offered. Solomon although the wisest king ever, does not so wise things and
begins to worship the gods of his wives and is subdued by his lust for women. His downfall was
looming and he died shortly thereafter.

Chapters 12-22 show the beginning of the end of the united kingdom of Israel.

The nation, with tough decisions to make chooses a wrong one. In 931 B.C., the kingdom splits
in two: North and South. Rehoboam inherits the kingdom and is persistent about enforcing high
taxes. The Northern tribes begin a revolt and Jeroboam is crowned king of Israel. Ten tribes
became the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin became the
Southern Kingdom of Judah. God raises up his prophet Elijah to warn evil king Ahab to turn
from idol worship and to return to the YHWH.
Kings II
The book of 2nd Kings is Narrative History and Prophecy concerning the affairs of the divided
kingdoms. The author is anonymous; however, some suggest the prophet Jeremiah. It was written
about 560-538 B.C. Key personalities are many; they include Elijah, Elisha, the woman from
Shunem, Naaman, Jezebel, Jehu, Joash, Hezekiah, Sennacherib, Isaiah, Manasseh, Josiah,
Jehoiakim, Zedekiah, and Nebuchadnezzar. Its purpose was to demonstrate the value of those
who obey God, and the fate of those who refuse to obey and make Him ultimate ruler.
In this book, God performs amazing miracles through his prophets as He sends these messengers
to herald His messages. The two kingdoms are far from the Lord and lost in the monotonous
confusion of their sins. Gods prophets bring the only hope to this lost yet, chosen nation.

 In chapters 1-17, we read of the rulers of the divided kingdoms who lead them to their fate in
exile. The prophet Elijah concludes his ministry and hands over the reins to another up and
coming prophet who God will use named Elisha. Elisha is an apprentice of sorts, and follows
Elijah as he follows Gods lead. God took Elijah in a whirlwind to heaven and the apprentice
asks for a double portion of Elijahs spirit, and it was granted to him (2:9). In Elishas ministry,
he carries out twice as many miracles, as Elijah, as God does His will through his prophet. We
also find in these chapters, details about kings and dynasties, which ultimately disobey and
ignore Gods orders and provisions. Finally, during the reign of the last evil king, Hoshea, the
Assyrians take the Northern Kingdom into captivity. They have neglected the warning and
coming judgment announced by the prophet Hosea. It is fitting that the more evil of the two
kingdoms (Northern Kingdom) is the kingdom that goes into permanent captivity. There is no
record or evidence of these 10 tribes of Israel ever returning from exile.
In chapters 18-25, it is apparent that the Southern Kingdom is not doing much better, and
soon would also face Gods judgment. Yet the LORD warned Israel and Judah through all His
prophets and every seer, saying, Turn from your evil ways and keep My commandments, My
statutes according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you
through My servants the prophets. However, they did not listen, but stiffened their neck like their
fathers, who did not believe in the LORD their God (17:13-14).